AWARDS IN ASSOCIATION WITH
SPONSORED BY
POSITIVE MOVES Mary (front row, centre) is a strong proponent of exercise as therapy
“Mary has helped me with my personal journey with breast cancer, reaching out when others were too frightened to. She has raised significant amounts for cancer research, is passionate, caring and driven in her mission.” “Mary deserves this recognition: she is a saint!” “After battling cancer twice herself, Mary continues to inspire and support others in maintaining positivity and movement to help them through their dark days.” “Mary is so inspiring in her volunteer work that involves promoting exercise and wellness to individuals with cancer. Her positive attitude has kept me buoyed at times when recovery has been hard. She is awesome!” “Mary helps run 5K Your Way in the fight against cancer, for anyone it affects: patients, friends or families. We’re encouraged to meet and complete a 5K at whatever pace we can manage, then just go for a coffee and chat.” AWARD CITATIONS FOR MARY
WINNER: MARY TWITCHETT – ATHLETE, COACH AND CANCER RESEARCH CAMPAIGNER A true beacon of strength, compassion and inspiration,
confirmed, I actually did a cycling time trial, and I remember crying the whole way through. I was thinking that this is the end of the world. But, in time, you realise you have the skills to make something positive out of it.” After completing a course of chemotherapy in 2018, Mary was approached by two friends – oncologist and Ironman triathlete Lucy Gossage and international athlete Gemma Hillier-Moses – to help set up the Cambridge branch of 5K Your Way. “It’s a small charity, with about 100 branches across the UK,” says Mary. “The idea is that we all meet up at the Coldham’s Common Parkrun on the last Saturday of each month and walk or jog around the course, one lap or two, depending on how you’re feeling. We walk in our T-shirts at the back, behind the runners. People can see us and realise that there’s still life after a diagnosis. Exercise obviously has enormous benefits, even if you’re fatigued. It helps you cope mentally. “What I try to instil in people is that, yes, cancer is a club you didn’t want to belong to, a journey you don’t want to take. Very bad days do happen, but we need to remember that the sun always rises the next day. We can choose hope and accept help. Even in those darkest moments, we can still move, smile and be kind to others.”
Mary Twitchett has dedicated herself to supporting individuals affected
by cancer, drawing from her own experiences as a two-time cancer survivor. Through her tireless volunteer work and 5K Your Way initiative, she encourages those on their own journeys to embrace movement, positivity and connection. Her kindness, resilience and drive make her a truly worthy Community Hero award winner. “I’m quite shocked about winning this award – I just do what I do,” says Mary, who works as an advanced nurse practitioner in Trumpington. “It’s always a pleasure to help others. As a nurse, I like to empower people and help them understand that cancer doesn’t define you. “My own cancer journey began in 2018. I had just completed the LA marathon and was top of the UK marathon runners for my age group. Then, just eight weeks later, I was diagnosed with breast cancer… and my world fell apart. As a fit, healthy person, you never imagine it will happen to you. “You go through all the emotions, not really knowing what’s hit you. In the same week that my cancer was
20 APRIL 2025 CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
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